Department of Numbers

Chico, California Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Chico rose 0.1 percentage points in January 2023 to 4.5%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the California rate. The unemployment rate in Chico peaked in April 2020 at 16.1% and is now 11.6 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.8% in July 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.7 percentage points. You can also compare Chico unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate January 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.4% -0.1 -0.6
California 4.2% +0.1 -1.0
Chico 4.5% +0.1 -1.0
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with January 2023 data as February metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Chico, California, National

Chico, California monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Chico, California Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Chico peaked in March 2010 at 14,808. There are now 10,627 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 3,523 in July 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 658. Chico employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Chico, California) is also available.

Unemployed Persons January 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Chico 4,181 +58 -869

Number of Unemployed Persons

Chico, California Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
California
Unemployment Rate
Chico
Unemployment Rate
Chico
Unemployed
February
2023
3.6%
January
2023
3.4% 4.2% 4.5% 4,181
December
2022
3.5% 4.1% 4.4% 4,123
November
2022
3.6% 4.1% 4.4% 4,096
October
2022
3.7% 4.1% 4.2% 3,923
September
2022
3.5% 4.0% 4.0% 3,743
August
2022
3.7% 3.8% 3.9% 3,576
July
2022
3.5% 3.8% 3.8% 3,523
June
2022
3.6% 3.9% 4.0% 3,696
May
2022
3.6% 4.0% 4.2% 3,867
April
2022
3.6% 4.1% 4.4% 4,044
March
2022
3.6% 4.4% 4.7% 4,297

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.